Michigan Nurse Arrested After Over 100 Cats, Many Dead, Found in Home

This story is absolutely nauseating.

A nurse in Michigan has been arrested after over one-hundred cats — around 80 of them dead — were discovered in her house.

Their dead corpses were literally stacked on top of her kitchen counter.

In total, animal rescuers were able to save 28 living cats, but many of them are ill.

41-year-old Emily Karolski was charged with animal cruelty for the severe neglect of these poor animals.

Here’s a photo of her:

INSANE story out of Michigan

Emily Karolski, a @CorewellHealth nurse, was arrested after authorities discovered nearly 80 DEAD CATS inside her home, as well as dozens of still-living cats.

First responders reportedly began throwing up from the smell when they initially… pic.twitter.com/QeHAqzvlg2

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 7, 2026

A package delivery driver was the first to alert authorities to Karolski’s hoarder house of horrors.

This person said that the stench was overwhelming, even from 150 feet outside the house. They believed a person had died at the home.

Detroit News reported further:

Authorities said the animals were discovered at the defendant’s Dryden Township home on May 10, 2026.

Township police were called to the home after a package delivery driver reported that a stench coming from the house made them think that a person had died inside it, Miller said. The driver said he could smell the odor from 150 feet away from the house.

Officers conducting a welfare check looked through a window and saw about a dozen dead cats on a kitchen counter, the county prosecutor said.

He said police began searching for the home’s owner but discovered she was not home.

Firefighters were called to help police officers get inside the home, Miller said. First responders entered, but immediately had to leave after becoming dizzy and developing headaches, he said. After donning respirators, they were able to venture into the home, according to the prosecutor.

He said animal control officers were at the home for three days to rescue cats and remove the deceased animals.

ADVERTISEMENT

Officials added that three of the cats have tested positive for feline leukemia, which is terminal and highly contagious.

At this time, it’s unclear where all these cats came from.

But, reportedly, Karolski was a known figure in the town’s cat rescue community.

Per Fox 2 Detroit:

Now, Emily Karolski is very well known in Michigan’s cat rescue community, and she is charged with two felonies.

She’s also a nurse practitioner who cares for newborns.

“We really didn’t have any basis to petition that individual for placement into mental health treatment immediately. She was conscientious of the situation and acknowledged the situation, as dire as it was. Beyond that, we don’t have anything to speculate on further. There was really no basis for a mental health petition to be filed,” said Lapeer County Prosecutor John Miller.

This woman is obviously mentally-ill and needs serious help.

Sadly, it appears like Emily Karolski lost her husband earlier this year, which could have contributed to the horrific hoarding situation.

A GoFundMe was set up back in February for a woman with her name:

This woman just lost her husband in February, unexpectedly. It would be prudent to hold judgment until everything is clear. I suspect this woman needs serious help, and our prayers. pic.twitter.com/Lemzqk12Cq

— Liz (@liz_rose7) July 7, 2026

The fundraiser description depicts Karolski as a “cat guru” known for helping to “save” cats:

We are coming together as a community to support Emily during an unimaginable and heartbreaking time.

Emily recently lost her husband, Martin—lovingly known as Marty. This sudden and devastating loss has left Emily grieving the love of her life while also facing significant financial hardship. At this time, she is unable to work and has no income, yet she is responsible for funeral expenses and ongoing household bills as she begins to navigate life without her partner.

Emily and Marty have given so much of themselves to others. Emily is widely known within our rescue and animal welfare community as a trusted resource and advocate for cats. She is often referred to as the “cat guru.” She has consistently stepped in to help save cats in need, guide fosters, and provide support and education to countless individuals seeking help for their pets.

Marty was always by her side, serving as her steady support system. He has helped bottle-feed numerious neonatal kittens and puppies, cared for their animals, and quietly stepped in whenever help was needed. Together, they embodied compassion, generosity, and selflessness.

This loss will be felt deeply throughout the community they served.

This fundraiser has been created to help relieve the financial burden Emily is facing so she can focus on grieving, healing, and caring for herself and her animals, without the added stress of wondering how essential bills will be paid or how daily needs will be met.

The GoFundMe page also includes a few photos of Karolski and her husband with some of the cats: